​Written Assembly Questions tabled on 3 August 2016 for answer on 10 August 2016

R - Signifies the Member has declared an interest.
W - Signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.

(Self-identifying question no. shown in brackets)

Written Questions must be tabled at least five working days before they are to be answered. In practice, Ministers aim to answer within seven/eight days but are not bound to do so. Answers are published in the language in which they are provided, with a translation into English of responses provided in Welsh.

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure

Nathan Gill (North Wales): What further payments are due in respect of the Circuit of Wales during 2016-2017 considering the Minister's assertion that "the company has sought financial support from us at each key stage in the project's development", how are they to be paid (e.g. in instalments of what and when), and what are the key stages? (WAQ70789)

Answer received on 12 August 2016

The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure (Ken Skates): No further payments are due or anticipated to be due in respect of the Circuit of Wales.

Nathan Gill (North Wales): Heads of the Valleys Development Company has indicated support from Blaenau Gwent and Monmouthshire CBCs – what is the support and what proof exists? (WAQ70790)

Answer received on 12 August 2016

Ken Skates: My officials are working closely with Blaenau Gwent and Monmouthshire County Borough Council and at this time the councils have not approved any financial support for HOVDC.

Dai Lloyd (South Wales West): Following the launch of the procurement process which will see the winning bidder building the Metro transport project for South East Wales, as well as running the next Wales and Borders rail franchise; will the Minister specify what the Franchise Map will look like, including services which start or finish in England? (WAQ70788)

Answer received on 5 August 2016

Ken Skates: Discussions with the UK Government about the transfer of the next Wales and Borders franchise are ongoing, our aim is to see the current franchise map remain intact

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): What steps has the Welsh Government taken to increase inward investment into Pembrokeshire? (WAQ70792)

Answer received on 5 August 2016

The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure (Ken Skates): When talking to potential investors, we utilise all available levers to make the case for choosing Pembrokeshire as a place to invest whenever it forms a good fit with the company's requirements.
 
We have introduced a number of initiatives, including the Haven Waterway Enterprise Zone (EZ), which are proving instrumental in attracting business. We are enhancing Pembrokeshire's attractiveness by creating the right infrastructure for businesses to flourish, such as the prioritisation of the roll-out of next generation broadband to Haven Waterway and improvements in the transport network, particularly along the A40.
 
We also work with a number of partners including UKTI and Pembrokeshire County Council to make sure Pembrokeshire's various strengths are put in front of investors as often as possible. Harnessing marine energy, for example, is one area in which Pembrokeshire businesses are leading the way on a global stage. Many of the world's leading developers choose Wales to base their business and develop their Marine Energy technology. We aim to capitalise on this over the coming months. 

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister provide an update on the roll out of superfast broadband across Pembrokeshire? (WAQ70793)

Answer received on 6 September 2016

The Minister for Skills and Science (Julie James): To date, the Superfast Cymru project has invested over £13.3million in providing 47,283 eligible premises (77.3%) across Pembrokeshire with the ability to access superfast broadband connections at average speeds of 62.Mbps. The Superfast Cymru Project will continue to roll-out fibre-speed connectivity until it’s conclusion in 2017. 
 
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister outline the Welsh Government's plans and timetable to improve the A40 in Pembrokeshire? (WAQ70794)

Answer received on 5 August 2016

Ken Skates: We appointed an Employer's Agent in September for the A40 Llanddewi Velfrey to Penblewin scheme and have begun the process of procuring a contractor to design and build the project. It is anticipated that the contractor will be appointed in October.  Construction is currently programmed to start at the end of 2018, subject to completion of statutory processes.  

 
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): In relation to the Welsh Government's proposal to upgrade the 5 mile lane in the Vale of Glamorgan, will the Minister confirm that all land needed to be purchased for the upgrade has been completed, and provide the average price per acre paid for it? (WAQ70796)R

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): In relation to the proposal to upgrade the 5 mile lane in the Vale of Glamorgan, will the Minister confirm how much the Welsh Government has paid to land agents, including a figure for any payment of fees accumulated by private landlords and providing a financial breakdown by companies used? (WAQ70797)R

Answer received on 5 August 2016

The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure (Ken Skates): The Five Mile Lane scheme is being taken forward by the local authority. As such, details about the associated land acquisition and costs is a matter for the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

Suzy Davies (South Wales West): Further to a letter form the then  Minister for Economy, Science and Transport on 8 January 2015, will the Minister provide an update on work that the Welsh Government is doing to deliver a multi storey car park in the SA1 Swansea Waterfront development? (WAQ70808)

Answer received on 12 August 2016

Ken Skates: We are currently preparing draft contract terms with a view to going out to tender in September to procure a Developer to take forward the development of a multi storey car park in the SA1 Swansea Waterfront development. 

Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): What discussions has the Welsh Government had with regard to hosting the International Indian Film Awards in 2017? (WAQ70810)

Answer received on 5 August 2016

Ken Skates: We have not yet had any discussions with regard to the International Indian Film Awards.  However, my officials have been approached to attend a meeting with Cardiff County Council and the organisers in the near future.

Mark Isherwood (North Wales): What loan schemes does the Welsh Government offer to voluntary sector heritage/tourism bodies and do any of these operate on an interest free basis? (WAQ70811)

Answer received on 12 August 2016

Ken Skates: The Tourism Investment Support Scheme (TISS) is open to the voluntary sector and is a mix of loan (interest free) and grant. Guidance on applying for the TISS can be accessed at the following link:
http://gov.wales/topics/tourism/tourism-investment-support-scheme/?lang=en

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): How will the Welsh Government work with the tourism industry and other relevant stakeholders to simplify and streamline the process for applying for, and obtaining, brown and white signs, and what plans does the Minister have to take this forward imminently? (WAQ70813)

Answer received on 12 August 2016

Ken Skates: The process in applying for tourist signs on trunk roads was subject to a comprehensive review in 2013 in conjunction with Visit Wales with new streamlined guidance produced. The guidance may be accessed via the following link http://wales.gov.uk/touristsigns. Officials are currently reviewing the process of tourism signing scheme delivery, to reduce the time taken to install signs from when an application is approved.

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn): What costs does the Welsh Government estimate will be incurred as a result of the formation of partnerships between local health boards and local authorities? (WAQ70798)
 
Answer received on 12 August 2016

The Minister for Social Services and Public Health (Rebecca Evans): The Welsh Government does not expect additional costs as a result of the formation of Regional Partnership Boards.  The Delivering Transformation grant has however made £9 million available to partners since 2013 to put in place the requirements of the Act, including the establishment of boards. 

The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 gave Welsh Ministers powers to establish new Regional Partnership Boards to take forward the effective delivery of integrated health and social services in Wales.  Seven new boards have been established on the health board footprint.  The purpose of Regional Partnership Boards is to improve the well-being outcomes of people and improve the efficiency of service delivery by ensuring the effective use of resources and pooled budgets. 

The Act requires local authorities and health boards to jointly undertake an assessment of care and support needs.  Regional Partnership Boards must respond to that population assessment, specifically, taking a preventative approach to meeting care and support needs.  Supporting statutory guidance also sets out the requirement for boards to prioritise the integration of services in relation to:

Regional Partnership Boards are required to establish pooled funds in relation to the exercise of their family support functions and in relation to any functions they exercise jointly in response to the population assessment from April 2016.  In addition, pooled funds will be required in relation to the exercise of functions relating to the provision of care home accommodation for adults from April 2018.
 
Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn): How many managers from the previous 22 local health boards are still on guaranteed 10 year pay deals? (WAQ70799)

Answer received on 12 August 2016

The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport (Vaughan Gething): This information is not held centrally as it is a matter for individual health boards. I will write to you with the information as soon as possible.
 
Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn): What assessments has the Welsh Government undertaken of the financial costs and benefits involved in creating the 7 local health boards in 2009 and could a detailed breakdown of the costs involved be provided? (WAQ70800)
 
Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn): What savings have occurred since creating the 7 local health boards in 2009, and could a detailed breakdown of these savings be provided? (WAQ70801)

Answer received on 12 August 2016

Vaughan Gething:  Savings were made in management and administrative areas following the 2009 reform due to the improved "economies of scale"  secured from the move to smaller number of larger organisations. The overall number of board posts in NHS organisations reduced  from 180 to 78, a reduction of 102 posts.  These structural changes resulted in an estimated reduction in costs of Board level structures by an order of £6m-£7m. The Welsh Government does not hold specific information on the savings generated as a result of those reforms, but collectively, NHS Wales organisations have delivered in excess of £1.1 billion savings since 2009.

The costs of the 2009 NHS reform were managed by NHS organisations within their existing resources. No additional funding was made available by the then Welsh Assembly Government, with the exception of £2.897 million funding to health boards to enable them to meet the additional audit fees associated with the mid-year accounts.

Mohammad Asghar (South Wales East): When will Prophylaxis (PrEP) be made available on the NHS in Wales to combat HIV? (WAQ70816)

Answer received on 12 August 2016

Vaughan Gething: We take an evidence-based approach towards the introduction of new medicines in the NHS in Wales, making all medicines approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) or All Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG) routinely available. In terms of HIV, this means that anti-retroviral and post-exposure prophylaxis drugs which have been approved by these bodies are readily available to patients who can benefit from them.
Public Health Wales will be reviewing the available evidence for PrEP to develop a policy position statement which will include consideration of the current learning from ongoing trials in London and France, alongside existing evidence from other areas where PrEP has been introduced.
The appraisal will take account of all available evidence and access in Wales will be determined by the outcome of the appraisal by AWMSG.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Minister provide detailed figures for how many hospital departments have been closed in the past year on weekends across all six Welsh health boards? (WAQ70817)

Answer received on 12 August 2016

Vaughan Gething: This information is not held centrally.

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs

Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister publish the evidence given by the Welsh Government to the Hendry review? (WAQ70802)W

Answer received on 12 August 2016​

The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs (Lesley Griffiths): I will.

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What consideration will the Welsh Government give to scrutinising the Commons Act 2006 with a view to implementing this in Wales, and what is the timetable for this? (WAQ70815)

Answer received on 12 August 2016

Lesley Griffiths: The Commons Act 2006 (the Act) is being implemented in Wales through a rolling programme, with substantial sections such as those concerning restricted works on common land and the de-registration and exchange of common land having already been brought into force.

The next priorities for implementation are sections 19 and 22, to include Schedule 2.  My officials have produced a timetable which indicates that these sections will come into force by the end of March 2017.  I continue to meet with officials to review this timetable together with the implementation of the remaining provisions of the Act.

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister provide a list of regeneration projects in Pembrokeshire that the Welsh Government will be funding for the next twelve months? (WAQ70791)

Answer received on 5 August 2016

The Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children (Carl Sargeant): There are a number of regeneration initiatives being delivered and developed in Pembrokeshire. Pembrokeshire County Council is currently delivering a Town Centre Loan Fund of £1.25m across Haverfordwest, Pembroke and Milford Haven. Welsh Government has also funded £50,000 for the Town Centre Partnership in Goodwick and Fishguard.
The Local Authority is also developing applications for additional Town Centre Loan funding. This scheme is subject to a competitive application process and my officials are working closely with Pembrokeshire County Council to support this process.

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): How does the Minister consider the National Assembly for Wales could legislate to increase the powers of the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales, and what legislative proposals does the Welsh Government intend to put forward to this end? (WAQ70809)

Answer received on 12 August 2016

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government (Mark Drakeford): The Welsh Government is subject to the powers of the Ombudsman. It is therefore not appropriate that Ministers legislate on the powers of the Office. During the last Assembly, the Finance Committee considered legislative proposals to extend the role of the Ombudsman and it will be for the new Committee to decide if those proposals should be taken forward.

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): With regard to the Minister's response to WAQ70576 on 6 July, will he provide a breakdown of funding for council tax collection pilot schemes in Newport and Merthyr Tydfil, as well as the timescales for their findings to be published? (WAQ70812)

Answer received on 12 August 2016

Mark Drakeford: The total cost of the council tax collection pilot schemes in Newport and Merthyr Tydfil was £45,575. The final report is due to be published at the beginning of the autumn term.

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): Will the Minister make a statement on the findings of the Wales Audit Office that the number of Town and Community Councils with qualified audit opinions has increased in two or more out of the last four financial years, including from 85 to 113 councils between 2013 and 2015? (WAQ70814)

Answer received on 12 August 2016

Mark Drakeford: I refer you to my previous answer (WAQ70750).

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Education

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister outline her priorities for the provision of secondary education in the Haverfordwest area? (WAQ70795)

Answer received on 16 August 2016

The Cabinet Secretary for Education (Kirsty Williams): Priorities for the provision of secondary education in the Haverfordwest area are the same as across the rest of Wales.  

Local Authorities, including Pembrokeshire County Council, are responsible for planning school places and have to keep under review the extent to which their existing pattern of school provision meets current and forecast demand for places and the requirements of the modern curriculum.

When considering change, local authorities must comply with the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 and the School Organisation Code and must consider a range of factors, the most important of which is the effect of proposals on quality and standards in education.

Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales): Will the Minister clarify how the expanded Pupil Deprivation Grant will be funded? (WAQ70803)

Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales): Will the Minister clarify whether the £100m in additional funding to improve school standards will include the expanded Pupil Deprivation Grant? (WAQ70804)

Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales): Will the Minister provide further details regarding the expanded Pupil Deprivation Grant and explain how it will be a priority within her portfolio? (WAQ70805)

Answer received on 16 August 2016

Kirsty Williams: I remain committed to improving outcomes for disadvantaged learners. Support through the Pupil Deprivation Grant (PDG) remains central to this objective. I have asked officials to develop options for the future shape of the PDG with a view to ensuring we get the greatest impact from our investment. I will consider these in due course alongside a refreshed ‘Rewriting the future’. Funding decisions, including those relating to the £100m additional funding, will be considered in the round and further information provided in due course.

Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales): Following the many cuts to funding Welsh for Adults in the last Assembly, does the Minister agree that there is a need to protect funding for the National Centre for Learning Welsh? (WAQ70806)W

Answer received on 16 August 2016

The Minister for Lifelong Learning and Welsh Language (Alun Davies): The Welsh for Adults programme has an important contribution to make to our aim of reaching one million Welsh speakers by 2050. Budget allocations beyond 2016-17 are yet to be determined.  The priorities and budget levels for the Education Main Expenditure Group (MEG), which includes funding for Welsh for Adults, are currently being considered in preparation for the 2017-18 Draft Budget, which is due to be published in the autumn.

Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales): Will the Minister provide an update on establishing the National Centre for Learning Welsh? (WAQ70807)W

Answer received on 16 August 2016

Alun Davies: The National Centre for Learning Welsh has now been operational for a year. The Centre has appointed staff to work in locations across Wales and has undertaken a process to rationalise the number of providers from the 24 that existed to 10. The Centre published its Strategy for the period 2016-2020 on 30 July and I have established an independent committee to scrutinise the work of the Centre and advise me on matters such as value for money and how the Centre is responding to Welsh Government policies. Further information about the committee can be found here: http://gov.wales/topics/educationandskills/allsectorpolicies/welshmededuca/welsh-for-adults/welsh-for-adults-scrutiny-committee/?skip=1&lang=en